Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is not covered by this Bill because it is considered gambling as opposed to betting. Let us consider all the various screens in bookie's shops, or roulette wheels with maximum bets of €100 per number. People can go into a card club or casino. I had hoped the gambling Bill would be introduced to regularise that sector and allow a public element in casinos. It is ridiculous that they are set up as private clubs. We could regularise that sector better. At least if a person goes into one of those establishments the maximum bet is €50. Again, these are generally run by professionals.

Let us return to what Senator Craughwell said. The Minister of State outlined the important legislation being processed in the Department at the moment. I fully appreciate that without question. The problem is that I have looked back over notes indicating that we were promised this legislation absolutely by summer 2014. However, based on the answer provided by the Minister of State it is not going to be brought in this year. It will not be brought in during the term of this Government, unfortunately. When is it going to become important? This is not a pop at the Government, the Minister of State or the officials, who are doing their level best, but it is not a priority.

The Minister of State should consider this with his revenue hat on. Money is being lost to the Exchequer by not regulating the gambling part of the sector. It amounts to millions. We reckon it is approximately €27 million, although it is probably more.

Let us consider the size of the industry in the rest of Europe and the question of foreign direct investment. Firms are looking at other countries to develop further what they are doing, but they are not coming to Ireland because we have not regulated the sector properly. We reckon there is considerable potential in the sector. However, I am concerned that although we are bringing in the Betting (Amendment) Bill now, there is no protection for people in real terms on the gambling side or for online gambling, which is actually the largest sector.

Senators Craughwell and Cummins have referred to roulette, bingo and so on. It is rife throughout the country. I am not a killjoy by any stretch of the imagination and I am not into big government or controlling everything and so on, but the fact that we are bringing forward legislation without a timeline for gambling control measures is wrong, especially since everyone agrees they are needed.

We should set something down in this area. That is why the amendment was tabled in good faith. It was to provide a timeframe under which the Government would have to come back within three months. This would indicate to the industry that the Government, whatever its make-up, was serious about addressing the sector. The problem is that when this goes through, it is done. There are no measures for a proper review. I realise the Minister of State referred to reports being laid before the House. If the Bill came back amended from the Seanad, it would send the message that we have included an important amendment that should be reconsidered in the Dáil. It could go to Cabinet then which could decide to prioritise gambling control legislation and ensure that, even if it is a slimmed-down version, it would get started. We are not seeking a panacea to all our ills, but perhaps a slimmed-down version. Why not do that?

I have no wish to divide the House on the matter and I opted not to divide the House last week. Instead, I asked the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, to seek an update. The Minister of State, Deputy Harris, has provided an update but, unfortunately, it is insufficient. If we let the Bill go through with no amendments, the matter will be done and will not see the gambling control Bill in the term of this Government. I am willing to bet my house that the Government will not produce it because of the other priorities the Minister of State has outlined. This is why I will insist on pressing the amendment.